Cong MDCs seek CBI probe into Garo Council scam

Assam Tribune ; TURA, Sept 21;

The sitting Congress MDCs have written to the Meghalaya Government seeking a CBI probe into the huge financial irregularities that have occured in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) and added that time ought to be given for the enquiry to be completed before the next executive committee is allowed to be formed.

The NCP has been crying foul over the government’s decision to extend direct administration rule over the Council even though the party has paraded the required number of MDCs to rule the GHADC.

“The decision of the government to extend the Adiministrator Rule is the right step and it is totally wrong of the NCP to accuse the government of preventing them from forming the EC in the GHADC. Why can’t the NCP wait for the enquiry to be completed?” questioned Congress MDC and CLP leader Besterfield Sangma.

The Congress MDCs have pointed out that the preliminary probe by the Deputy Commissioner into the anomalies of the Council had revealed that several crores of rupees have been withdrawn without any proper utilisation.

According to the Congress members money to the tune of Rs 3 crores was allegedly misused by the Council authorities from the civil works department. Similarly, several lakhs of rupees have allegedly disappeared from the departments of Revenue, Forest, Taxation and Transport. “Even money from the Growers Association has been withdrawn,” alleged the MDCs.

The Congress MDCs have also filed a RTI in regard to the appointments in the GHADC. According to the RTI, 83 fresh appointments were made without any advertisement, examination or interview by the NCP-led Executive Committee during the month of March, this year.

“Even after the fall of the NCP EC fresh appointments continue to take place,” alleged the Congress.

The members are demanding stern action against those guilty including Council officials who played a role in the misappropriation of the funds.

In the meantime, the NCP has filed a petition in the Gauhati High Court against the State Government’s decision to extend the Administrator’s Rule terming it illegal because they claim to have a majority of the MDCs with them to run the new EC.

“We hope the High Court will give its ruling in favour of the government for the interest of the GHADC and the people of Garo Hills,” said the Congress Legislature Party leader.